Only some shoes fall into the weekly or monthly budget. If you want to pick up some new heat to round out your wardrobe, this guide will show you how to snag some of your favorite sneakers for under retail price. We'll explore the best platforms, strategies, and even some unexpected sources to help you secure those coveted kicks at a bargain.
Top Platforms for Sneaker Deals
eBay: A Treasure Trove of Sneaker Steals
With its vast marketplace and competitive pricing, you can often find hyped sneakers below retail on eBay. Between extensive filters for shoe condition, model, and sale format (such as auctions and offers), there are a lot of levers you can pull to find some steals. Keep an eye out for:
- Sales using the auction format or listings taking offers.
- The eBay Authenticity Guarantee – insurance against fakes.
- Seasonal sales and promotions.
- Shoes in NWOB (New without box) condition or "New with Defects."
StockX: Place a bid
StockX is known for its authentication process and transparent pricing. While it's primarily a resale platform, patient buyers can find deals:
- Watch for price fluctuations.
- Set up alerts for your desired price point.
- Take advantage of first-time buyer promotions.
- Wait for release hype to die down after a release.
Flight Club: Used and New with Defects
Flight Club generally has higher fees than StockX, but you can get your items significantly faster as they hold items in stores and warehouses. Regardless, it is worth doing some price comparison (available on every sneaker page on Sole Retriever) to check if their prices beat GOAT or StockX. For getting the best deals on Flight Club:
- Check their "Used" and "New with defects" section.
- Use first-time buyer coupons.
GOAT: Under Retail and Used
Like StockX, GOAT offers authenticated sneakers and often has lightly used pairs for sale. To score below retail:
- Browse the "Under Retail" section.
- Look for slightly used pairs in good to excellent condition.
Grailed: Make your low-ball offer
Grailed caters to fashion enthusiasts and has tons of sneakers on there. While Grailed has a lower level of authentication (so be careful!) than GOAT and StockX, it does allow users to list used items and take offers. A pair of open-box, no-box, or lightly worn sneakers will often be marked down significantly. Grailed also offers buyer protection as all transactions go through PayPal. To find under-retail deals:
- Use the offer feature to negotiate prices.
- Check the "never worn" and "gently used" filters.
- Build relationships with sellers for potential discounts.
Kicks Crew: Authentication-Focused, In stock
Kicks Crew has no middleman and sells sneakers directly to you. Authenticity is guaranteed, and shipping is relatively quick. You pay for this as their shipping fees run as high as $35 to the United States. To save on Kicks Crew:
- Keep an eye out for their seasonal sales.
- Referring a friend earns you a $10 coupon.
The Reddit Advantage
Reddit's sneaker communities are goldmines for savvy buyers. With some patience and hunting, you can pick up a new or like-new pair of shoes you were looking for at half the price. Be sure to try out:
- r/sneakermarket: A marketplace for buying, selling, and trading sneakers.
- r/LegitCheck: A community dedicated to authenticating sneakers.
These platforms offer several benefits:
- Community-driven authentication.
- Upvote the system for credibility and ask for vouchers.
- Direct communication with sellers.
Sole Retriever Price Drop Alerts
Sole Retriever is a game-changer for sneaker enthusiasts looking to score deals without constant manual checking. Here's how to leverage this powerful tool:
- Comprehensive Market Coverage: Sole Retriever scans all major retailers and secondary markets, giving you a bird's-eye view of the sneaker landscape.
- Custom Price Alerts: Set up personalized alerts for specific shoes in your size.
- Hands-Off Approach: Once your alert is set, wait for an email notification when your desired price point is hit.
- Time-Saving: Eliminate the need for daily manual checks across multiple platforms.
To use Sole Retriever effectively:
- Search for a shoe in the search bar.
- Create a price alert for your specific size and target price.
- Wait for the email notification when a deal matching your criteria becomes available.
This tool is handy for patient buyers willing to wait for the right deal on their grail sneakers.
Seasonal Sales
While there are many secondary marketplaces, it's worth noting that sometimes, great deals can be found at popular, larger retailers. Stores like Kith, Concepts, SSENSE, and Bodega offer massive seasonal sales, including sought-after sneakers. While they may not always have the most hyped models, you might be surprised to find some gems sneaking into their sales sections. Sole Retriever shares these deals on our mobile app when they come out with links to the most hyped items.
Other Platforms to Consider (With Caution)
While these platforms may offer great deals, exercise extra caution due to looser authentication standards:
- Facebook Marketplace
- Poshmark
- Mercari
- Vinted
Tips for using these platforms safely:
- Always request additional photos.
- Research the seller's history and reviews.
- Trust your instincts – if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is
- When in doubt, get a legit check.
Scoring hyped sneakers under retail is possible with patience, research, and luck. You can build your collection without emptying your wallet by leveraging these platforms, communities, and tools like Sole Retriever. Remember always to prioritize authenticity and use secure payment methods when making purchases.
Lowballing you on grailed. I do some writing on top of helping keep Sole Retriever running on web and mobile! In my off time, catch me out running.
